It takes a village to write this column

For the past week I’ve been dogged by a bad cold that sent me to bed for a few days and left me tired and under a self-imposed exile from being out and about much. So on Monday evening I made this post on my Facebook page: “I figure I've written well over a thousand columns in the last 26 years. I'm often asked how I come up with things to write about every week. Short answer ... whatever amuses, annoys or inspires me. Question for my local village — what has amused, annoyed or inspired you in our community this past week?”

I awoke on deadline Tuesday to more than two dozen responses, really great responses from people who for the most part view their glass and our community as half full. So with gratitude to these friends who shared observations, some which were laugh-out-loud funny and some which started additional constructive dialogue in the thread, and all of whom have made this week’s Main Street column possible.

Daniella Cross contributed something that falls under the “what has annoyed her” category but was so amusing it’s worth sharing: “The Flies! YES! The flies! Living at a very close proximity to the Fairgrounds, EVERY year after the fair leaves our quaint little city, those of us who live close, endure a fly infestation that rivals any Ethiopian horror movie. Walk into my house in two more weeks, after mating has produced millions more Dipteras, and you will be dodging long yellow, sticky fly strips! YES, in my house they will hang. Although some clever chap, most likely a woman, redesigned these hanging death traps of glue into fancy looking, high-end, Asian-inspired condos! All boxy and pink and white. My husband will be wielding a fly swatter, and like a deranged madman, he will KILL...KILL, KILL, FOR WEEKS! I have already found myself practicing my ninja skills with my vacuum; holding that sucker tube just so, holding, steady...poof, sucking oblivious flies into my 'better than a Dyson' device!"

Vicki Isakson, a CASA volunteer, is inspired by foster families and points out the need for more: “The foster family who shelters my CASA kids told me they received eight calls in the last few months asking them to shelter more kids. The need is HUGE!” Vicki’s comment prompted a thread of questions about fostering and the Court Appointed Special Advocates program which likely has gained at least one more volunteer from her post.

Mary Riffe also notes an inspiring event of the past week: “For me it would be the opening of the Boys & Girls Club. I think the old saying "it takes a village" is very appropriate because they are our future. A place that perhaps nurture, teach and encourage our youth to be better than we are certainly deserves mention.”

And along that same note, Pat McGaughey said he’s inspired by the power couple of Ryan (BGC Exec Director) and Jamé Davis (Post Falls Chamber president/CEO) who contribute much to our communities’ quality of life.

Bob Salsbury is inspired by “people with the courage to risk disapproval and disrespect because they know in their hearts and minds they are doing the right thing.”

Another inspired observation by Rebecca Greer: “I was inspired or maybe just appreciative of the Post Falls police showing around the first few days of school, people blow thru school zones all the time, I have seen children on bikes get hit due to people not slowing down. The police were at every school and major school zone crossing, I thought it was awesome.”

Laurie Sutton: “Annoy — when people call 911 and say “this is not an emergency but” can you tell the people upstairs to stop talking so loud or my neighbor’s dog is barking, make it stop. That’s not a 911 call.”

Jennee Nixon brought up a topic that most of us wouldn’t have given much thought to in the course of our day ... “The #IAM911 movement is an effort to assist in the reclassification of public safety telecommunicators from “clerical” to “protective.” We, as 9-1-1 professionals, deserve to be treated as first responders. To manage a 9-1-1 call, giving CPR instructions over the phone for an infant, while dispatching law/fire/ems units should never been classified as clerical. Other positions in the “clerical” class are bank call centers.”

She also encouraged a “sit-a-long” in the dispatch center, which I will definitely do in the coming months.

Traffic and train whistles are big topics that would be under the annoying header: Kelly Tuntland, “People running red lights! I cannot believe how bad it is and I feel it’s getting worse. It amazes me how many times I’ve had a green light and somebody blazes through the intersection. Many people comment on this but nothing changes. It’s time people get ticketed and word gets out before somebody else gets killed.”

Bobby Wilhelm: “How about the constant train whistles thru Post Falls. Don’t most of the roads have rail road warning lights or blockades that go down. Didn’t Sandpoint do something about that called quiet zones?” To which Erin Peterson responded, “I grew up adjacent to the train growing up, and you learn to tune it out. Rail lines are sadly becoming a thing of the past, and the more lines that close, the sadder I get. I’ll take the whistles any day.”

Cindy Marcella: “I wish Highway 41 would get the lines painted, it makes for unsafe driving conditions and we need lights installed.”

Keith Boe: "The recent grass fires along I-90. Why doesn't DOT mow that stuff? Bone dry tinder waist high along the freeway.”

Joe Butler’s observation: “The Albertsons in Liberty Lake took out all of their self-checkout machines last night. The clerk said the store believed they contributed to theft, and they also cut down on the 'friendly customer service vibe' the store wanted to convey. I know the philosophy (of self-checkout) is to reduce lines and improve convenience, but should people be forced to interact?”

Tracie Olin’s simple question: “Customer Service. Is it a thing of the past?”

Katie Brodie has been bonding with her big brother, John Brodie of NFL fame, at the Hayden Lake Country Club this week: “I have been so inspired by my brother, John. He is here visiting and to watch him hit golf balls left-handed only is amazing...sort of sad he hits it with one hand as far as I do with two! Great stroke recovery for a really great man!”

And the last word goes to Mary Larson, who knows me well ... “Ha-ha. This post amuses me....look at you fishing for column ideas.” It takes a village, Mary. :)

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Highlights: Tonight Live After 5 in downtown Coeur d'Alene features the Powers' and the Kelly Hughes Band in a benefit for Bryan Elementary School's after-school tutoring and social services. 5 - 8 p.m. Friday Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1700 Pennsylvania, hosts the POW/MIA National Day of Remembrance dinner at 6 p.m. with John and Stacey Holley speaking. 777-9684 or 664-9231 for info. On Saturday Mudgy and Millie celebrate their 8th birthday with a party at the Coeur d'Alene Library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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Happy birthday today to Leslie Orth (60!), Connie Glass, Diane Lemas, Wayne Dust and Anna DeTar.

Marking birthdays tomorrow are Claudia Brennan, Brad Medlock, Jerry Deitz, Jean Wright, Shannon Englander, Kathie Colosimo, Angie Purcell, Liese Razzeto and Nick McDonald.

On Friday Jeff Thompson, Courtney Hurt, James Hoialman, Charollett Morehouse and Terrie Lynn Gonzales celebrate.

Steve Widmyer, Harmony Conley, Connie Evans, Russ Giles, Mary Riffe and Lynda Wright take another trip around the sun on Saturday.

Birthday shout out to Brad Peugh, Jaimee Myers, Eric Benjamin, Ellen Delavan, John Holm, Jennifer Schroeder and Debra Smart on Sunday.

Sept. 19 birthdays belong to Rich Kempton, Kara Fredekind, Debbie Sala, Jeanne Wright, Brock Morrow, Marshall Baltzell and Karen Lindbergh.

On Tuesday Julie Chadderdon, John Stevens, Craig Brosenne, Haley Walker and George Balling will have their cake and eat it, too!

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Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email mainstreet@cdapress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.